Has the Internet basically eliminated office socialization?

In the past I shared an office with two or three people and no one had much of anything to say to each other. On paper you would think we were all possible friends. Similar in age and background and at about the same stage in our careers.

When things would get slow in the office we would start instant messaging, write emails, go on message boards, or just cruise the Internet. 15 years ago I remember working at a job where everyone would take a break in a formal break room and chat for 20 minutes at 11 and 3. We also hung out in front of the receptionist and talked up a storm. Now all I hear is typing! What a sad time to be in the workforce! Your thoughts?

At least you have co-workers there during your shift? I am alone at my job and only see a coworker when I get to work to relieve them and vice versa. But I do agree because I have several friends who work in data entry and they tell me they feel alone even with the coworkers around because there is no socialization at breaks and even if there were, it was just complaining or gossiping, not chatting. Sad...

It's a case-by-case basis. It depends on the office decorum. My office is open to a fault, and everyone is blabbing all the time (especially me).

But when I want to talk to one of my friends OUTside the office, I now have the resource to do so undetected -- IM. I think the fact that you can "socialize" tacitly without fear of being watched (tho some bosses DO get into your computers) online sort of adds another dimension to office socialization, but does not eliminate it. There's always a way to avoid getting work done.

completely agree with my current situation, but my previous situation, we were much more sociable...even did pot-luck lunches, which can be fun because it keeps people in the office during lunch.
The internet may not have ruined socializing in the office, but IM definitely has. My co-worker would rather have a full conversation with you on her IM instead of just talking out loud.
It can get pretty lonely when you only talk to people over the phone.